LEXINGTON, Ky. — Stately Victor stunned the field Saturday at the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes, surging to the front in the stretch then pulling away to beat Paddy O’Prado by 4 1/4 lengths and secure an unlikely spot in next month’s Kentucky Derby.

The 3-year-old bay colt went off at 40-1 odds, the longest shot in the nine-horse field filled with Derby hopefuls. He didn’t look like an underdog as he recovered from a slow start to win the 1 1/8 mile race over Polytrack at Keeneland and collect the $450,000 winner’s check.

Stately Victor paid $82.20, $30.40 and $12.80, the largest winning payoff in the Blue Grass.

Line of David wins Arkansas Derby.

Front-running Line of David won the $1 million Arkansas Derby by a neck, propelling the 17-1 longshot into Kentucky Derby consideration after his first race on dirt in Hot Springs, Ark.

Line of David had never before run in a stakes race and his last two victories were on the turf.

Trainer John Sadler now has two prospects for the first Saturday in May, along with Sidney’s Candy, who went gate-to-wire in winning last weekend’s Santa Anita Derby.

It was the biggest victory of veteran jockey Jon Court’s career, and the second stunning Derby prep result of the day.

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.